The American Legion's Louis J. Celli Jr. said Tuesday on Fox News Channel's "On the Record with Greta Van Susteren" that the resignation means little and that the legion doesn't know why Carney interpreted its press release as meaning it was pleased.

"For the White House to spin that in such a way that made it look like we agreed with it, I just think was disingenuous," Celli said. "I don't know if he misunderstood. I can't speak for what he was thinking or what he said. But I certainly know what the American Legion's intentions are, and that is we want to see reform at the top of the VA."

The legion also has called for the resignations of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki and Undersecretary Allison A. Hickey.

Celli told Van Susteren the VA might have made a stronger statement if it had held Petzel on the job until the investigation is finished.

"This move by VA is not a corrective action but a continuation of business as usual," American Legion National Commander Daniel M. Dellinger said on the legion's website.